Multiple commercial properties in downtown Winter Garden have changed ownership over the past year, including several buildings along the historic Plant Street corridor, and several longstanding local businesses have confirmed their leases will not be renewed upon expiration.
Entities tied to James Larweth, founder of Anton RX, have been identified in public records as purchasers in a number of those transactions. At least nine commercial buildings in the downtown core have sold within the past year, with multiple closings occurring between August 2025 and early January 2026.
One of the most prominent transactions was the sale of the Bond Building at 2 W. Plant Street, which closed on December 31 for $4 million to Anton Property Investors LLC. The building houses Three Birds Café and Polka Dotz, both of which have announced closures after being informed their leases would not be renewed at the end of their current terms. Three Birds Café is scheduled to close on February 26, while Polka Dotz, which has operated in the community for nearly 20 years, has been asked to vacate by June.
The historic Edgewater Hotel at 99 W. Plant Street sold in August for $10.3 million to Legacy Edgewater LLC, an entity connected to Larweth. Additional recent transactions include the Allen & Company office building at 16 E. Plant Street, which sold on November 21 for $2.3 million, and the Real Estate Collection buildings at 100 and 126 W. Plant Street, which sold on December 31 for $6.5 million. The Tremaine Boyd building at 109 S. Boyd Street also changed hands on January 5 for $10.4 million.
Business coverage has reported that more than $20 million has been spent on Plant Street properties in recent transactions alone, while separate reporting indicates that entities associated with Larweth have invested more than $40 million in Winter Garden real estate dating back to 2015.
Driftwood Market announced it will vacate its downtown location at the end of May after its building was sold in October to a new owner who plans to bring a restaurant concept to the space. Ruby & Rust, a Main Street retailer, also announced a February 26 closure tied to the loss of its lease. Public records indicate that Candy Properties and Investments Inc. own the building housing Ruby & Rust, and the Driftwood Market address is owned by Shurlock LLC, suggesting that not all affected businesses are located on Anton-affiliated properties.
Community members organized in response to the recent changes. A rally had been scheduled outside Three Birds Café on February 20 but was later called off by the business owner. A smaller group of residents still gathered that morning and walked to City Hall to distribute notices encouraging city leaders to consider measures aimed at preserving the character of the historic district. Among the ideas raised publicly were restrictions on chain restaurants within the downtown core and programs to assist small businesses in negotiating favorable lease terms.
The City of Winter Garden, through its economic development office, stated that property ownership and lease agreements are private contractual matters between landlords and tenants and that the municipality does not have legal authority to intervene in private real estate transactions or lease decisions, provided they comply with applicable laws and codes. City officials have indicated they remain committed to supporting a vibrant downtown and are reviewing local ordinances while continuing discussions with property owners, business operators, and community stakeholders.
As of the latest reporting, no formal redevelopment applications, demolition permits, or zoning amendments tied to the recently acquired properties have been publicly filed with the city. While plans for the properties have not been formally announced, the concentration of ownership along Plant Street and the resulting lease transitions represent a notable shift in the commercial landscape of downtown Winter Garden.
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